Business Rural North Spring 2021

| 41 RURAL PEOPLE » Andrew & Maddy McLean Late entry turns up trumps for couple The McLean’s Hawke’s Bay farm runs 590 R2 bulls and 2850 breeding ewes Richard Loader A last minute decision to enter the Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector competition has rewarded sheep and beef farming couple Andrew and Maddy McLean with the Hawke’s Bay Farmer the Year award. Maddy says it was quite a whirlwind when the win was announced at the gala dinner held at A & P Showgrounds in Hastings, attended by 500 people. “Andrew’s parents were at the dinner with us, but earlier in the week we actually decided they didn’t need to come because we didn’t think we had any chance. But then the bank rang and said they really thought they should be there and got them tickets.” Andrew adds that while he is not good at speak- ing to large groups and was quite nervous, being out of his comfort zone was one of the challenges and reason for entering the prestigious annual competition. “We entered with quite low expectations really. We were trying to improve our business by entering and learning as we went through the process. We got to know all aspects of our business a lot better and we got a lot of constructive feedback from the judges, which we are using to make improvements, particularly around systems and programmes.” The couple farm in Wallingford, 25 minutes south of Waipukurau in Southern Hawke’s Bay. Maddy, who comes from a dairy farming background in the Waikato, met Andrew at Lincoln University while she was doing landscape archi- tecture and he was completing a Diploma in Farm Management. “I grew up on the farm we’re on now,” says Andrew. “I’ve never thought about doing anything other than farming, it was pretty obvious to me. When I completed my diploma I went shepherding for a couple of years and then Maddy and I spent a couple of years travelling and working overseas. “We returned to the family farm in 2015 and managed it for a year before buying the stock and plant and leasing the farm. Last year we bought the farm from my parents and leased a small block that my parents are on. This year we bought the neighbouring farm.” The combined property now encompasses 1036 hectares, about a quarter of which is flat to rolling country with the balance steeper hill country. Following the Huatokitoki stream where much of the lowland flat to rolling country is, a long tract of remnant native bush with matai, maire, totara and some kahikatea follow the streamline. “We have two and a half kilometres of QE11 bush along the stream and a further 20 hectares on the new block,” says Maddy. “Andrew’s parents also did a lot of poplar and willow planting primarily for soil conservation with shelter being another benefit.” The farm is home to 2850 breeding ewes, 880 ewe hoggets and 2500 trade lambs and 590 R2 bulls. “We breed and finish our own lambs and try to get those done by the beginning of April,” Andrew explains. “We then buy in trade lambs and finish those through the winter, weather dependent. Last year we only had 150 but we can take up to 5000.” Both very modest about their success at the awards, the couple love the challenge of growing good healthy stock and seeing them well looked after with good feed. “You can see what you have produced and what has gone into it,” says Maddy. The couple has two children, Olivia 4 and Oscar 2. As the day’s work starts with planting more na- tive trees, both children will be helping their parents in the field. It’s about family. “Andrew’s parents were at the dinner with us, but earlier in the week we actually decided they didn’t need to come because we didn’t think we had any chance. But then the bank rang and said they really thought they should be there and got them tickets.” Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year winners Maddy and Andrew McLean with children Olivia and Oscar. Don’t go past us for your Livestock, General/Bulk and Ground Spreading needs Phone 0800 668 342 A straight up direct approach to breeding better sheep Congratulations to Andrew & Maddy Pahiwi are proud to supply hill country Su olk rams to the McLean family Rob Tennent: 06 855 4943/027 932 1034 | robtennent@hotmail.com